Tony Cingrani Almost Perfect

While the Reds took the rubber match this afternoon in Cincinnati, a Reds hot prospect was lighting in up down in Louisville for the Riverbats.

Feb 22, 2013; Goodyear, AZ, USA; Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Tony Cingrani (52) reacts after giving up a run during the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Goodyear Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Tony Cingrani opened the season for the Riverbats tonight in Louisville with an epic performance from any pitcher. Cingrani pitched six innings of  nearly perfect baseball, striking out 14 of the 18 batters he faced in the process. He was pulled after the sixth inning to save his arm. Obviously the Reds have major plans for the young pitcher in the future.

Cingrani is making a great case to be called up to the majors. The question is who would you drop for him. The east answer is Leake and I couldn’t agree more. If the Reds want to bring him up though they need to do it before the All-Star break. Cingrani needs experience and with the Reds having their sights set on a World Series run he needs all he can get. The good thing about Leake is hes been to the playoffs twice and knows how to handle the pressure.

In the mean time though if Cingrani continues to impress Reds fan will will continue to be impressed by the young pitcher out of Rice University.